Neighbors shaken after deadly shooting at Broward retirement community; suspect in custody
A man was found dead after a shooting early Wednesday at a retirement community in Sunrise, and a suspect was later taken into custody, police said.
Sunrise Police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 8800 block of Sunrise Lakes Boulevard around 12:18 a.m. When officers arrived, they found an adult victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the suspect was later apprehended in Dania Beach. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The shooting occurred on the third floor of an apartment building in Sunrise Lakes, a 55-and-older retirement community near Pine Island Road. Neighbors told CBS News Miami the victim was a man who appeared to be in his 70s and used a wheelchair after having a leg amputated. Authorities have not confirmed those details.
Residents expressed shock that a deadly shooting occurred in their community.
"This is scary, definitely, because this place is like a 55. It's like everybody, you know, relax, old people. It's not like it's going to be this happen, but it happened," one neighbor said.
Frank was devastated to learn his friend, a former roommate, was shot and killed. The call came in at 12:15 a.m. after shots were fired at the Sunrise Lakes retirement community. One neighbor said she heard three shots.
"It's devastating, heartbreaking because this is someone I knew," Frank said.
Police said the victim was a 70-year-old man in a wheelchair with one leg amputated. Neighbors said the victim answered a knock at the door and was greeted with gunfire. Frank said that despite his friend having some problems, he was kind.
"He was a kind-hearted person; he would do what he could to help other people, that was just his nature," Frank said. "We all have our good and our bad, but he had a lot of good in him".
Police said the alleged killer was caught not long after the shooting in Dania Beach. The slaying has people in the retirement community on edge.
"It's scary, definitely scary, especially in this place," said Claudia Crespo. "This place is a 55-plus, relaxed, old people community. It's not like this should be happening, but it happened".
The killer is charged with murder, fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest.
The names of the victim and suspect have not been released as detectives continue their investigation. Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.